The proposal made by RAI board members calls for a Palestinian artist to perform at Eurovision 2026 in a “non-competitive manner”, a move described as a way to “balance” public discourse.
Tensions over Israel’s controversial participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest continue to ramp up, and following calls from Italian unions to boycott the event, Italian broadcaster RAI has formally requested that a Palestinian artist be allowed to perform at the contest in Vienna.
According to a letter published by Corriere della Sera, the proposal from three board members of RAI to EBU and Austrian broadcaster ORF calls for a Palestinian artist to perform in a “non-competitive manner”.
The request has been described as a way to balance public discourse around the ongoing conflict.
The statement reads: “Palestine must be welcomed onto the Eurovision stage, if we don’t want to undermine the values of inclusion and brotherhood that music embodies.”
The letter does not call for Israel’s disqualification, and stressed that the proposal is a cultural initiative and a sign of civic responsibility and dialogue, not a political statement.
The appeal comes after Festival di Sanremo 2026 participant Levante said she would refuse to represent Italy at Eurovision should she win the Italian Festival, in protest against Israel’s inclusion.
Fabrizio Casinelli, Director of RAI Communications, confirmed at a press conference for the Festival di Sanremo that “RAI asked not to turn a blind eye, we said so when the request was made and this is our position”.
As of now, no response to the request has been received.
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna on 12, 14 and 16 May. A total of 35 countries will take part in the world's biggest live televised music event, which this year will not include Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland, who have all withdrawn over the maintained participation of Israel.
These nations argue that participation would be "unconscionable" given the civilian casualties in Gaza, stemming from Israel's response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas.
Despite the slogan “United by Music” and ORF previously confirming it will not prohibit the Palestinian flag or drown out any booing aimed at Israel's performance, the diplomatic tensions and widespread boycotts will continue to cast a shadow over the 70th edition of the contest.
